In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined once again by our pal and backpacking legend, Andrew Skurka. We cover a host of new subjects including the future of dedicated satellite communicators with smartphones introducing satellite texting capabilities, what he foresees for the fate of rain gear in light of the move away from PFAS, how the first season of guiding trips went in Yellowstone, his favorite backpacking destinations in each of the lower 48s four time z...
Dec 02, 2024•3 hr 12 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker and Trek Writer, Katie Jackson, known on trail as Double Dip. Katie gives us an in depth breakdown of her recent thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, including why she advocates that hikers not take the Creede cutoff, her experience of a wild storm so intense that lightning struck and killed nearby cows, the challenge of losing her hiking partner early on, hiking on an injured foot for hundreds of mil...
Nov 25, 2024•2 hr 51 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Bennett “Jolly” Fisher, the founder and visionary behind Jolly Gear. We learn all about Jolly's entry into backpacking, including his first thru-hike at just 18 years old alongside his dad, hiking 300 miles of the PCT on a broken ankle, and some hilariously embarrassing Jabba stories from their recent hike on the CDT. We, of course, dive deep into his apparel company, Jolly Gear, and how he's flipped the thru-hiking fa...
Nov 18, 2024•2 hr 27 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Shari Edelson. Shari is a PhD student researching human impacts in wilderness areas, specifically the impacts of human dookie in the backcountry. We chat about in which circumstances wagbags are warranted, the challenges with compliance when they are, when it's perfectly okay to bury your shit, and how future conservation efforts should be allocated to making this easier to understand for hikers. We also chat about Sh...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Tara Dower, the new holder of overall Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail. Tara gives us the low down on every aspect of her recent record-breaking trek, including how she fell wildly behind pace after the first two states, her nutrition, her sleep habits (or lack thereof), how vital her crew was in her success, the criticism she's faced for "hiking too fast", running a 100-mile...
Nov 04, 2024•2 hr 10 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jabba and Lt Cookoo for another BPR classic. This one, in expected fashion, is all over the map. We start by getting a brief update of what Cookoo has been up to since his last appearance on the show followed by a more detailed update from Jabba, primarily about a once-in-a-lifetime bikepacking trip through Iceland, a trip that nearly robbed his soul in the best and worst way possible....
Oct 28, 2024•2 hr 49 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to by LMNT, we are breaking down our recent hike of the Northville Placid Trail. Chaunce, Elise, and yours truly recently set out south from Lake Placid to trek as much of the trail as we could in a 5-day period. Spoiler alert- I was forced off trail first, Chaunce did the full thing, Elise split the difference between the two of us. We give you a day by day breakdown of our trek, including a not so fun first day, a family fig...
Oct 21, 2024•2 hr 30 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by James Appleton. James is a walking encyclopedia on all things Adirondacks, hosting a podcast dedicated to the park, having authored a book about its lore, and he serves as a hiking guide throughout the region. James gives us the rundown on these rugged 46ers, including superlatives like his favorite, the most underrated, the most overrated, and the best for beginners. He also provides a primer ...
Oct 14, 2024•2 hr 4 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jen Jacobsson-Melo & Livio Melo, co-founders of Allmansright, an ultralight gear company located in the Bronx. We learn all about their humble beginnings, including when Allmansright's gear was made in the corner of their 500-square-foot apartment, how a serendipitous run in with a fellow backpacker in Colorado's backcountry led to their first pre-order, how they've scaled up their operation...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr 33 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Ian Mangiardi aka "Dusty". For those of you who've read Appalachian Trials, you're already familiar with Ian’s name, as he served as my pre AT thru-hike guru and therapist. Ian gives us a full rundown on his triple crown treks, including being dumped on two of the three hikes, how he and Andy Laub (former guest) formed an instant bromance on the first week of the AT, the filming of As It Happen...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 54 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker, gear maker, YouTuber, musician, and dare I say philosopher, John Z. John Z has hiked it all, including the triple crown trails, the Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail- in 10 days, setting the unsupported FKT on the way, which was a side trip during his PCT thru-hike- the Great Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Death Valley Loop, amongst others. He gives us an overview of these trips, the inspiration be...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 57 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are doing a thorough breakdown of the differences and similarities between the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. We are joined by Trek Bloggers, Abby Evans, aka “Shitwater Fireball: Queer of the Salamanders" and Hannah “Spring” Goodman, who are both 2024 PCT thru-hikers, and had previously thru-hiked the AT as well. We talk about the differences in overall difficulty, including weat...
Sep 16, 2024•4 hr
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Elina Osborne. Elina is a thru-hiker, filmmaker, adventurer, and storyteller. Four years ago, Elina released a 15-minute documentary about her PCT thru-hike, titled "It Is The People", which has since accumulated nearly three-quarters of a million views on YouTube. We learn all about Elina's entry into film and storytelling, her process, equipment, and advice she has for future documen...
Sep 09, 2024•2 hr 47 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Cam Bostock. With more than 600K Followers, Cam is a bonafide Instagram hiking celebrity. Cam teaches us all about his home, the great country of Australia, including his adventures on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail, in addition to how often someone needs to fistfight a kangaroo, the frequency of deadly snake encounters, and other stereotypically dumb American questions. We also learn all about Cam's PCT tr...
Sep 02, 2024•2 hr 15 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are at PCT Trail Days! Our guest today is Jeffrey James Binney, a modern-day renaissance man who is an award-winning filmmaker, motivational speaker, ultrarunning athlete, and PCT hiker. We learn all about Jeffrey's story, including how losing his mom at a young age inspired him to pursue endurance sports, what it's like for a gay vegetarian to grow up in a rural pig farm in the midwest, his entry into improv and stand-up comedy, h...
Aug 26, 2024•2 hr 21 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, Zach takes on the role of guest. This episode recaps his recent hike through the Weminuche Wilderness, a 40-mile loop he’s coined the "Weminuchoo Choo Loop." It’s bound to catch on. Zach gives a full overview of the hike, covering the distance, elevation gain, alternate route options, trail highlights, wildlife, and more. He also shares a story about perhaps his biggest backcountry blunder to date—an expensive mistake, and one he had ...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 41 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Justin Simoni aka the Long Ranger. In addition to established routes like the Tour Divide and Nolan’s 14, Justin also creates his own - he’s traversed the Sangre de Cristo Range, Mosquito and Tenmile Ranges, and from Milner to Berthoud Pass along the divide. And while summiting all of Colorado’s 14,000 ft peaks is an effort in itself, Justin summited the top 100 highest mountains in the state after biking to them from...
Aug 12, 2024•2 hr 30 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, Chaunce and Elise give us a thorough rundown on their recent trek of the Teton Crest Trail. We learn all the requisite facts about this trail, including length, landscape highlights, permitting, travel, wildlife, the best campsites, water availability and more. We also get a play by play of some of the best stories from the duo's hike, including a misfortunate start to the journey, Elise's serendipitous reunion with a Wyoming dive ba...
Aug 05, 2024•2 hr 39 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Stuart Howe. Stu is an avid backpacker of remote and rugged Canadian treks, the proprietor of a Youtube Channel dedicated to documenting the backpacking trips he’s done with his identical twin daughters, and the nicest guy you’ve ever met! We learn all about how his entry into backpacking was spearheaded by his girls, the best trails he’s done across Canada and the US, how he likely encountered an aggressively grizzly...
Jul 29, 2024•2 hr 2 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dr. Courtney Conley. Dr. Conley is an internationally renowned foot and gait specialist, founder and creator of Gait Happens, and chiropractic physician who specializes in foot and gait mechanics. We chat all things related to foot health related to long-distance backpacking, including what to look for in footwear and what characteristics to avoid, how to best prepare your feet for a successful hike, and preventing an...
Jul 22, 2024•2 hr 25 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Helinox, we are joined by Mary "Badass" Anderson. Never has a trail name been more fitting, Mary is the most badass hiker you've likely never heard of. With nearly 19,000 miles under her feet spanning six decades, with her first thru-hike taking place in 1981, Mary has not slowed down with her adventurous ways, as she swung by the studio on her to the Pacific Northwest Trail. Some of the highlights from today's inter...
Jul 15, 2024•3 hr 8 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Helinox, we are joined by Adam Cramer, the founding Executive Director and CEO of Outdoor Alliance, a national coalition of outdoor recreation advocacy groups revitalizing the conservation movement with modern organizing and digital engagement. We learn all about this organization, the work they've done, the conservation movement at large, some interesting data from their recent wildfire report, and much more. We wra...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 43 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Helinox we are joined by John Mackey. On trail he's known as "Strider", off trail he's known as the co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods. In addition to being a world-class entrepreneur, Mackey is also a backpacking enthusiast, having hike the AT, PCT, Colorado Trail, and many trails abroad including hikes in the Alps, Patagonia, and more. This is a fun, informative, and wide ranging chat that covers his thru-hi...
Jul 01, 2024•2 hr 28 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by dermatologist, and my old pal, Dr. Katie Manno. This is a chat I’ve been wanting to highlight on this podcast for years now, and it lived up to my lofty expectations. Dr. Manno gives us a thorough runthrough on all things skin health related and how it pertains to extended time in the outdoors, including why sun protection is so important, the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens and which is better for ...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 47 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Katie “Oats” Houston. Oats is a solo thru-hiker, who’s completed the AT, Colorado Trail, Lone Star Trail, and most importantly for today’s recording, the 330-mile Appalachian High Route. We dive deep into the Appalachian High Route’s details, including the standout sections, resupply strategy, the best months to hike it, standout stops in Asheville (where Katie is from), and much mor...
Jun 17, 2024•2 hr 3 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker. Taylor is a thru-hiker, peak bagger, prominent YouTuber, and as of the recording of this episode, exceptionally pregnant. In addition to hiking the AT in 2021 and 2023, Taylor has also hiked all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers. We learn all about her entry into the world of thru-hiking, how she grew her YouTube following- including a friendly sibling ri...
Jun 10, 2024•2 hr 26 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Brandon “Horsepower” Weis. With minimal prior backpacking experience, in 2021, Brandon successfully completed the calendar year triple crown plus a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. The next two years were not any more laid back, as he accrued more than 15,000 miles worth of backpacking over a three year span, including treks of the Benton MacKay Trail, Pinhoti, Oregon Desert Trail, Big...
Jun 03, 2024•2 hr 19 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Quoc “Double Magic” Nguyen. Double Magic might just be the most accomplished backpacker you’ve never heard of, along with being in the running for most interesting person on earth. His 23,000 miles of backpacking started with trails you know, like the Colorado Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail, and quickly evolved to trails you likely haven’t including Norge pa Langs, Via Dinarica, the Colorado Loop (a 1500 mile r...
May 27, 2024•2 hr 37 min
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, we’ve got another banger Q&A episode for you. We are joined by everyone’s favorite viking who hikes to cover your burning questions. Subjects in today’s episode include our most underrated pieces of gear, what single food item we've used on the most hikes, our go-to sun protection strategies, how careful someone should be during a norovirus outbreak, what single thing we like most about long-distance backpacking, and more. We wrap the show with what ou...
May 20, 2024•2 hr 42 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we'll do it live! That's right, we are once again joined by backpacking legend, Ryan Sylva aka Dirtmonger, to learn more about his ridiculously extensive backpacking experience from around the world, but this time we are joined by 60 of our best friends at the Skylark Lounge in Denver, Colorado. Although many beers were consumed during the making of this podcast, we feel confident this live episode stays in bounds, at least relative t...
May 13, 2024•2 hr 42 min
